New Books Network Thomas Manuel Ortiz, "Why We Struggle to Go Green: Hard Truths about the Clean Energy Transition" (Texas A&M Press, 2025)
Dec 24, 2025
Thomas Manuel Ortiz, an energy engineer with three decades in the field, discusses sobering truths about the clean energy transition. He argues that no single solution will alleviate climate change, emphasizing the necessity of adhering to planetary limits. Ortiz breaks down energy density and critiques the reliance on solar and wind. He advocates for nuclear energy while cautioning against the hype of AI's role in the transition. Ultimately, he calls for a cultural shift towards reduced consumption and realistic policy choices to mitigate our environmental impact.
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Episode notes
Transitions Never Fully Replace Old Energy
- Energy transitions have no hard endpoint; old sources persist alongside new ones.
- Society must decide how much energy we truly need and choose sources within planetary limits.
Energy Density Explains Fossil Fuel Dominance
- Energy density explains why fossil fuels dominated: geological concentration packs huge usable energy into small mass.
- Diffuse sources like solar are abundant but costly to harvest compared to concentrated fossil fuels.
Texas Wind Grew Because Of Policy And Farmers
- Texas built out wind because policy (CREZ) paid for transmission lines from windy west Texas to cities.
- Farmers gained stable income and cities got needed electricity, creating a practical win-win rollout.